The absence of any smoke alarms may have contributed to the death of a 45-year-old Scarborough man who died in a basement apartment fire Wednesday morning, fire officials said.

The fire broke out shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday at 101 Robinson Ave. near Warden Ave. and Danforth Rd.

It took 48 firefighters and 12 fire trucks from Toronto Fire Services to put out the two-alarm fire by 9:10 a.m.

As firefighters searched through the heavy smoke and debris, they found the man in the basement of the home.

"We don't know why the individual did not get out of the basement," said Toronto Fire Services Capt. David Eckerman. "There were no audible working smoke alarms sounding when our firefighters arrived at the scene, so it could one of the reasons."

Neighbour Rebecca Fudge, 51, said the house was engulfed with black smoke escaping through the windows.

"We didn't see any flames, just a ton of black smoke coming out from the back of the house where he lived," Fudge said. "It's such a shame. He was a really nice man. We chatted whenever he came to play with our dog."

Fudge gave the fire victim a sofa bed and her sons helped to carry the bed into his apartment last month.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

"We don't believe it to be a suspicious cause," Eckerman said.

None of the other three people who lived in the home were injured.

There was an estimated $200,000 in damages.

The fire marshal's office and the coroner began are investigating.

Toronto residents are reminded to maintain working smoke alarms and ensure batteries are replaced when you change your clocks forward or back.

Failure to comply with the Ontairo Fire Code requiring smoke alarms on each floor of a house, could result in fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations.